‘Good enough for a woman’ she said

 ‘Good enough for a woman’ she said

‘Good enough for a woman’ she said.....I was gobsmacked. I sound like such a feminist but since when did we stop pushing ourselves because of our gender. OK so maybe I’m over reacting but it definitely got me thinking. I felt that is that really how women feel when in the gym? Am I alone in wanting to train as hard as the guys do (....maybe all the weights and testosterone has gone to my head).

So I was attempting to do four sets of 12 pull ups with the resistant band, it was visible that I was frustrated as I started to struggle after the first set. By the third set I could just about manage seven. I took off the band with frustration and turned around to realise two women on the leg press were observing me. I smiled and they gave me a comment of encouragement, ‘you’re doing well’ she said. ‘nah I can’t do it’ I replied moodily and then THE comment came....’good enough for a women’ she said with a smile.

OK so just for the record... I did complete them, with the help of the resistant bands. Next time you’re in SportsDock why not ask one of the fitness instructors for the resistant bands and try a pull up/chin up for yourself. Join me on the quest to do a pull up... just like the guys!

Men are able to do pull-ups and chin ups without a resistant band and without a struggle, so if men can do it, so can I. And I will continue to attempt them and get stronger so that one day I can do pull ups easily and with a smirk on my face (without looking arrogant of course).

The sense of accomplishment when you achieve a goal that you have your heart set on and then you’ll realise that all the hard work, pain and sweat was worth it.

No matter what your goal is whether it be to do a pull up (like me) or to be able to run 5k on the treadmill don’t stop because you don’t think you can do it, don’t stop because people tell you that your current achievement is ‘enough’ carry on with determination! And without sounding too much like a feminist doesn’t let your gender stop you accomplishing anything!

By Jasmine Wing

Weights won't make you big!

Weights won’t make you big

For some reason girls seem to have this (random if you ask me) idea that lifting heavy weights will make you look just like the men in the gym do however this is NOT the case. Firstly I have to point out the obvious; men produce higher levels of testosterone which enables them to build muscle faster. There are many factors that contribute to their ‘bulky’ look it’s not just lifting weights.

The benefits are endless: The benefits of lifting weights are numerous. It increases bone strength, prevents injury, helps with posture, tones your arms so no more ‘bingo wings’ and it has a profound effect on your later life- it can stop you getting osteoporosis condition.

Strong doesn’t always mean big. By lifting weights your muscles will get stronger and denser and you will burn the fat which is surrounding the muscles, you will get that toned look that we’re all after. 

Did you know that building muscle has longer lasting effects than a long session of cardio does.  According to a study by adding just two sessions a week of heavy lifting you can reduce your body fat by three percent without having to cut the calories, sounds almost too good to be true right?

Food glorious food: Eating and diet is a huge factor as to why men ‘get big’. Men will have to put a lot of effort and focus on their eating to create the gains they are aiming for. The calorie idea is to eat a lot more than you burn in a day to allow you to build muscle. Now, I haven't met many women who eat the calories that it really takes to get that desirable ‘big’ look for the guys.

Back to the Stone Age: Men are naturally faster, quicker and stronger than women and their bodies are designed differently to women for understandable reasons.This isn’t to say that women can’t achieve or do what men do but men WILL find it easier to build muscle than women. Also it’s in their genetic makeup, men have more type 2 fast twitch muscles therefore they can gain strength faster than the opposite sex. 

I hope this is putting your mind at ease. I understand that women don’t want broad shoulder or big bicep’s because we tend to think this in unattractive or unfeminine. The ‘I don’t want to look like the guy next to me’ kind of attitude seems to be the reason women avoid lifting heavy weights and stick to the good old cardio machines. 

I hope that this post will encourage more women to pick up those heavy weights and get that toned look you’ve been trying to achieve ....

By Jasmine Wing